Book-rest



' (No Model.) l. i 1 Y 0. I'. HAYNBS. l BOOK REST. l

No. 289,652.` 'Patented Dem 4, 1883'.`

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ject of my invention is to provide a book-restv PATENT @Erica CHARLES F. HAYNES, OF NEl/V'ION, MASSACHUSETTS.

BOOK-REST.`

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters :Patent No. 289,652, dated December 4, 1853.

Application filed March-29,1883. (No model.)

Newton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Book-Rests,` of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are hereby made' a part of this description.

My invention relates to book-rests, such as are used for reading purposes; and the obwhich shall set on any table and enable one to hold and handle books of all sizes with ease, and which shall contain two or more books at the same time, in such a manner thateach book can, by a slight motion of the hand, be4

brought before the reader. It is more particularly intended to hold two books, one of which shall be a dictionary or other referencebook.

In my drawings, Figure 1 shows a perspective view with books in position. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation with portion cut away. Fig. 3 shows a section through linegy Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section through x :c of Fig. 1, showing racks folded down for packing.

B is a circular base, on the bottom of which are rubber disks b b. 4 Resting on base B, with their centers pivoted together by means of the screw a, is the lat oblong table A, the two ends of which'are beveled. Surface-rolls b b are embedded in the base B, a'nd the table A rests on these rollers. To the beveled ends of table A are pivoted two racks, C C, in the manner which I shall now specify. On the under side of the racks C, which are here identical with each other and secured to the table A in the same way, are the two cleats c c, one on each side, and extending from top to bottom of the racks C. rIhe outside edges of these cleats are beveled in such a manner as to receive the clamps or clasps D and D. Stops on the upper ends of cleats c c prevent the clasps D D from sliding 'from the end. The rod E passes through the table A from side to side and through the two clasps D D. It also passes through twonnetal plates, a' a',

which are secured to the sides of the table A.

The rod E forms, with the clasps D D', a hinge or trunnions, by which the rack is hung when clamped, as will be shown. One end of the rod E is provided with a thumb-piece,'e, andl on the opposite end is cut a thread which' works in the clasp D. The rod E is also provided with a stop, c, which comes against the other clasp, D. rhe clasps, D D', are so ad- `)'usted and of such size that when they are screwed tightly against the table A they will rmly embrace the cleats c, thus clamping the table A to the rack C. The rack C consists of a at back, which may be made in one piece,

or in the form of an open ornamental frame. On its lower edge is the shaft F, in the center of which is the notch j'. In this notch is driven the pin G, and other pins are driven in various places on the sides and in the shelf F. rlhe endless elastic band H passes entirely around the rack C. rIhe shelf is secured to the rack C by dowels, so that it can be readily taken oi' by the hand. The smooth perforated ball or bead I slides on the cord I-I.

Having shown the construction of my bookrest, I now proceed to show its manner of operation. Ihe whole device is placed on any table, near or at the edge. The rubbers disks b b hold it firmly to the surface and prevent it from slipping. Books are placed on the rest, as shown in Fig. l. By turning rod E the clasps D D clamp the rack C firmly to the table A. The base B and table A being pivoted together, the whole upper portion revolves on the rolls bb, and one book may be swung around into the exact position of the other by a movement of the hand. Thus a dictionary or other referencebook may be used'with great facility. The elastic band H is used in a variety of ways to keep open the book and to hold the leaves in place. It is intendedto be drawn across the corners by passing it over the pins G G, so that the leaves are just sufficiently coniined to prevent them from turning. It is obvious that the elastic cord H may be used without the bead I; but this is not desirable. When a small or thin book is used, the cord His passed over the pin in the notch f. rj he ball or bead I is then slipped along and allowed to rest on-the corner of the leaf, relieves it in turning, and avoids the danger of tearing. rIhe cord H may be IOO passed directly around the book, and the bead l I claim- I left over any particular passage to keep the place when the book is not in use. The racks C C have two motions for adjustment, controlled by the screw E. They may be raised or lowered to different heights, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, or they may be tipped back at any desired angle with the eye. They may also be folded back into the position shown in Fig. 3 for packing. The shelves F, being removable, may be packed away out of sight. rllie shell" F may be attached with hinges or made solid. rlhe clasps I) D', instead of acting ontwo cleats at the sides, may be made to embrace one cleat at the center with the same effect. The table A, instead of being pivoted to the base B may be pivoted to a standard, which shall rest on the ioor, thus forming a book-rest which may be used independently of a table. More than two racks may be used in the same manner as here shown. A lamp may be placed on table A between racks C C. Metal piatesa may be of rubber, and increase the friction.

I am aware that caster-supports have been used on a book-rest to move it on a table or support, and do not claim that construction or combination of parts.

l. In abook-rest,'the rack C, combined with the clamps D, the screw E, and the table or support A,whereby said racks may be inclined or raised or lowered and held in position as desired.

2. In combination with the rack C, the clastic cord H,fixed at each end and to the bottom of the rack and overlapping,` the same, and having upon it a movable bead, I, substantially as described.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a bookrest consisting,` ofthe following' elements, viz: a .rack for the support of thebook, side clamps fixed to a table upon and by which the rackis sustained,and engaging on the side of the rack, so that the rack can be adjusted up or down, and a base provided with rolls on which the table and rack may revolve, all constructed and operating,` as set forth.

In witness whereof I have ailixed mysipjna ture, this 12th day of March, A. l). 1883, in the presence ot' two witnesses.

CHARLES F. I'IAYNES.

Witnesses:

S. W. HENRIETTA L. lLrYNns. 

